As nations around the world ask their citizens to prepare for World War III, anxiety about the state of geopolitics is at an all-time high. But a doomsday prepper, who is stocking up in case of an international disaster, has revealed she is ready for anything.
Rowan MacKenzie of Missouri is known for her expert advice on preparing for any disaster.
The 40-year-old started stocking her cupboards 13 years ago and has spent more than $350,000 (£277,000) on her supplies, as well as a basement bunker.
Now he shares what vital items we should all have to prepare for the worst, and says it’s important to act now before it’s too late.
The real estate investor and stay-at-home mom said she found some essential items on online sites like Amazon and advises people to make the most of Black Friday deals to save money.
“I would focus more on medical supplies, food and weapons, above all,” he revealed.
“And the less you have to carry, the better, since you’ll need some extra space.”
He added that Black Friday deals are always a good time to stock up on what you might need in case of an emergency.
If you’re worried about the state of the world, doomsday prepper Rowan MacKenzie from the US has revealed what you need to stock up on.
Items on offer range from high-energy meal bars to freeze-dried apple chips.
Rowan says the discount date, which is most commonly used to buy bargain-priced Christmas gifts, is the perfect time to prepare for a disaster, too.
On Amazon, soup fans can get 200 servings of Leek and Potato Soup Mix for £20.71 (which works out to around 10p per serving) instead of £24.42.
Or you can get two days’ worth of freeze-dried breakfast, lunch and dinner for one person for £42.63 instead of £51.89, which works out to around £3.50 per meal.
While this isn’t exactly the cheapest food in the world, it has a shelf life of 30 years, so you could say it’s a bargain if you want to guarantee yourself a serving of beef stroganoff in 2054.
It comes after Justin Jones, of UK Prepping Shop in London, warned that the threat of wars, cyber attacks and even solar flares meant it was important to take precautions.
He told MailOnline: “Our best-selling products are six-month freeze-dried food kits that will last 25 years and nuclear gas mask kits because of the increased risk of war.”
Below, he reveals the top 10 items he would recommend having on hand in case of a disaster.
The 40-year-old started stocking her cupboards 13 years ago and has spent more than $350,000 (£277,000) on her supplies, as well as a basement bunker.
He often takes to social media to show his followers how his preparation is going.
The real estate investor and stay-at-home mom said she found some essential items on Amazon and they shouldn’t spend a lot of money because of this week’s extensive Black Friday deals.
She initially began stocking her pantry, purchasing lifelong essentials like beans and rice, which she learned to preserve through trial and error.
Rowan says the majority of its stock won’t expire for 25 years – all thanks to its “perfect” rotation system to ensure there is little to no waste.
The housewife spent more than $10,000 to build an underground space in the basement of her house, where she keeps food and water, as well as defense weapons.
1. First aid kit
One obvious item Jones recommends having to prepare for a disaster is a first aid kit.
He warns that hospitals would have to focus only on the most serious cases in the event of another incident like a pandemic, so it would be wise to keep some supplies in reserve.
Materials in a typical kit include waterproof plasters, bandages, gloves, antiseptic, tweezers, medical tape, eye drops, and sterile gowns.
“A lot of people neglect this, but if you cut yourself and end up infected, you won’t last long,” he says.
2. Water purification tablets
Jones points to the water crisis in Devon as evidence of the need to keep a supply of water purification tablets in stock.
South West Water (SWW) had to ask customers to boil their tap water after hundreds of people fell ill with diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains.
The mystery illness was believed to be linked to cryptosporidium, a parasite that causes serious stomach problems.
“Bottled water is fine, but you have to consider how long it will last,” Jones says.
3. Emergency food
Disruption to the food supply caused by war or another global pandemic tops the list for many preppers.
Jones warns that many Britons have become “too reliant on technology”, pointing to the popularity of food delivery services such as Deliveroo.
The store owner recommends keeping long-life foods at home as a precaution.
“This could be short-term canned food that is easy to heat in the can if needed or long-term freeze-dried meals, which also allows for use for pets and babies,” he says.
4. Energy bars
While it’s helpful to have long-lasting supplies, they can take time to prepare and be less useful on the road, Jones says.
“Energy bars will allow you to consume calories quickly when you need them, and will allow you to not have to rely solely on long-term meal plans that need to be heated.”
5. Generator
Portable generators can be used to keep appliances running in the event of a power outage.
Jones says one of the most essential appliances to keep going is a refrigerator or freezer for storing food.
But he adds: “Many freezers will stay frozen for 24 to 48 hours as long as they are full and with the lid closed.”
6. LED flashlight
A power outage during the long winter nights would make movement difficult, but typical torches often require many batteries to keep running.
String lanterns are one option, although Jones believes LED lanterns are another good alternative.
“If the power goes out, one of these in good condition can last for days with the batteries at a low level,” he says.
7. Multiband radio
The sudden outbreak of war or natural disaster is often characterized by confusion, which can lead to errors.
Having a portable radio at home will allow you to stay in touch with the outside world, including listening to crucial government updates.
“You’ll need a decent multi-band receiver to listen to announcements from around the world, and plenty of batteries,” Jones says.
8. Heavy Wool Blankets
Many of us will remember going through Band-Aids after a boiler failure, so having a supply of suitable blankets is a must.
Many emergency kits contain foil blankets or other high-tech equivalents, but Jones opts for a traditional wool one.
“These are essential if the heating goes down, depending on the time of year,” he says.
9. Gas masks
According to Jones, this would be useful in the event of a nuclear explosion or a major bomb that leaves clouds of pollution in the air.
“If you are far enough away from the explosion zone and can stay inside for the first 72 hours, your chances of survival are relatively high,” he says.
UK Prepping Shop is selling a nuclear survival kit for one person, complete with a gas mask, for £565.
10. ‘Escape bag’ for the car
Discussions about preparation often focus on the home, but Jones believes it’s worth preparing for the possibility of having to quickly leave the house.
As such, he recommends keeping a “bug out bag” filled with supplies in the trunk of your car to use if necessary.